show the more of his supporting strength, in upholding weak grace : we do not wonder to see a man of strong constitution, that eats his bread heartily, and sleeps soundly, live : but for a crazy body, full of pains and infirmities, to be so patched and shored up by the physician's art, that he stands to old age, this begets some wonder in the beholders. It may be thou art a poor tremb- ling soul, thy faith is weak, and thy assaults from Satan strong, thy corruptions stirring and active, and thy mortifying strength little, so that in thy opinion they rather gain ground on thy grace, than give groiuid to it ; ever and anon thou art ready to think thou shalt be cast as a wreck on the devil's shore : and yet to this day thy grace lives, though full of leaks. Now is it not worth the stepping aside to see this strange sight ? A bi'oken ship with masts and hull rent and torn, thus towed along by almighty power, through an angry sea and armadoes of sins and devils, safely into his harbour ? To see a poor taper or rush candle in the face of the boisterous wind, and not blown out ; in a word, to see a weak stripling in grace held up in God's anns till he defeats the devil ? This God is doing in upholding thee : thou art one of those babes, out of whose mouth God is perfecting his praise, by ordaining such strength for thee, that thou, a babe in grace, shalt yet foil a giant in wrath and power.
Third, If after long waiting for strength from God, it be as thou complainest, inquire whether that which hinders be not found in thyself. The head is the seat of animal spirits, yet there may be such obstructions in the body, as the other members may for a time be deprived of them ; till the passage be free between Christ, thy head, and thee, thy strength will not come : and therefore be willing to inquire.
First, Hast thou come indeed to God for strength to perform duty, to mortify corruption, and the like ? Perhaps thou wilt say. Yes, I have waited on those ordinances, which are the way in which he hath pi-omised to give out strength. But is this all? Thou mayest come to them, and not wait on God in them. Hast thou not carnally expected strength from them, and so put the ordinance in God's stead? Hath not the frame of thy spirit some affinity with theirs in James iv. 13 : ' We will go into such a city, and buy, and sell, and get gain V Hath not thy heart said, I will go and hear such a man, and get comfort, get strength ? and dost thou wonder that thou art weak, barren, and unfruitful ? Are ordinances God, that they should make you strong or comfortable ? Thou mayest hear them answer thee, poor soul, as the king to the woman in the siege of Samaria : Help, O prayer, sayest thou : or, O minister, how can they help, except the Lord help ? These are but Christ's servants : Christ keeps the key of his wine cellar ; they cannot so much as make you drink, when you come to your master's houses ; and therefore, poor soul, stay not short of Christ, but press through all the crowd of ordinances, and ask to speak with Jesus, to see Jesus, and touch him, and virtue will come forth.
Second, Ask thy soul whether thou hast been thankful for that little strength thou hast. Though thou art not of that strength in grace to run with the fore- most, and hold pace with the tallest of thy brethren, yet, art thou thankful that thou hast any strength at all? Though it be but to cry after them, whom thou seest outstrip thee in grace, this is worth thy thanks. All in David's army attained not to be equal with his few worthies in prowess and honour, and yet did not cashier themselves : thou hast reason to be thankful for the meanest place in the anny of saints ; the least communications of gospel-mercy and grace must not be overlooked. As soon as Moses with his army was through the sea, they strike up before they stir fi-om the bank-side, and acknowledge the wonderful appearance of God's power and mercy for them, though this was but one step in their way ; a howling wilderness presented itself to them, and they not able to subsist a few days with all their provision, for all their great victory ; yet Moses, he will praise God for this earnest of mercy. This holy man knew the only way to keep credit with God, so as to have more, was to pay down his praise for what was received. If thou wouldest have fiiller communications of divine strength, own God in what he hath done. Art thou weak ? bless God thou hast life. Dost thou through feebleness often fail in duty, and fall into temptation ?• mourn in the sense of these ; yet bless God that thou dost not live in a total neglect of duty, out of a profane contempt
AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT. g5
thereof, and that instead of falling through weakness, thou dost not lie in the mire of sin through the wickedness of thy heart. The unthankful soul may thank itself it thrives no better.